Universal SARS-CoV-2 Testing of Emergency Department Admissions Increases Emergency Department Length of Stay.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

Our institution experienced a change in SARS-CoV-2 testing policy as well as substantial changes in local COVID-19 prevalence, allowing for a unique examination of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 testing and emergency department (ED) length of stay.

Methods

This was an observational interrupted time series of all patients admitted to an academic health system between March 15, 2020, and September 30, 2020. Given testing limitations from March 15 to April 24, all patients receiving SARS-CoV-2 tests were symptomatic. On April 24, testing was expanded to all ED admissions. The primary and secondary outcomes were ED length of stay and number needed to test to obtain a positive, respectively.

Results

A total of 70,856 patients were cared for in the EDs

SUBMITTER: Sangal RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8424016 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature